DeLand Man Killed by Train

On Wednesday morning, Darren Ross, a 57-year-old from DeLand, was struck by a southbound train near the intersection of Walker Street and LPGA Boulevard. According to the report issued by the Holly Hill police department, Ross was likely initially struck by the train around 12:35 a.m. in Putnam County. His body, however, remained undiscovered until 6:35 a.m., right around dawn, after two other trains had already passed through the area. Another conductor, northbound on the tracks, saw Ross’s body on the tracks and notified the police.

The police and emergency response vehicles arrived quickly on the scene and began to investigate the situation. During this time, both Walker and Flemish Street were blocked to vehicles. Ross, who had been dead for several hours, was not immediately identified. It is not known exactly the reasons for this or whether or not it was due to the condition of the body or his lack of official documents to prove his identity. It is also unclear whether or not any of Ross’ family survive him or if they were notified in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

As of this moment, the accident and death are still under investigation by the Holly Hill police department. Questions that they are seeking answer to include why Ross was on or near the tracks in the first place.

Along with the late discovery and release of the deceased’s name, the Holly Hill police department has also not released the name of the driver of the train. It is not known whether they even know who this driver was, although given the rigorous way in which railroad schedules are documented it seems unlikely that the information is not stored somewhere.

Also unknown and/or unreleased is the nature of the train involved in the incident, whether it was a passenger train or a freight train, and whether it was following all of the railway protocols when it impacted Ross. The final piece of information that the police have not given is whether or not Ross was subsequently struck by either of the following two trains, or if the impact he suffered from the first threw him clear enough of the tracks to prevent any further collisions.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a Florida train accident, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.

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